In the quiet town of Karak, Pahang, a family’s peaceful existence has been shattered by a wave of terror and harassment inflicted upon them by loansharks linked to a syndicate in Singapore.
In a chilling sequence of events, their home was set ablaze not once, but twice, as these ruthless individuals sought to extract payment for alleged unpaid debts.
The Initial Contact
The nightmare began to unfold on September 7th when a loanshark contacted the wife of a 29-year-old man, who we will refer to as Chong.
The loanshark asserted that Chong’s husband, known only as Kwan, who had been working as a chef in Singapore for the past two years, had borrowed money from their syndicate, according to The New Straits Times.
The Loan Application
Kwan explained that he had initiated a loan application for SGD10,000 (RM34,435) back in May after clicking a link from a money lending company on social media.
However, he later canceled the application, as conveyed by his wife. This, however, did not appease the loanshark. Unsatisfied with Kwan’s explanation, they demanded an immediate payment of SGD2,000 (RM6,883) for the canceled application.
Escalation of Threats
The threats soon escalated in severity. The loanshark menacingly claimed that harm would befall the couple’s two young children, aged four and five, if their demands to settle the debts were not met. The family was caught in a harrowing predicament as they attempted to navigate these treacherous waters.
Relentless Demands
In a desperate attempt to secure their safety, Kwan complied with the loanshark’s demands and deposited SGD200 (RM688) as ordered. However, this did not bring an end to their torment. The loansharks continued to demand more money, causing the financial burden on the family to mount.
False Claims and Arson
The situation took a horrifying turn when, despite no evidence of such a transaction, the loanshark falsely claimed to have transferred SGD300 (RM1,031) into Kwan’s account.
This deception was accompanied by an act of arson as the loanshark set fire to the family’s home compound on two separate occasions, September 11th and 15th.
They demanded an exorbitant SGD3,000 (RM10,332) as ‘fees’ for the individual responsible for these dangerous acts.
The Perpetual State of Fear
The relentless campaign of terror waged by the loansharks has left the family in a state of perpetual fear. Chong, the wife, had to make the heart-wrenching decision to quit her job as a clerk and keep her children away from school due to concerns for their safety.
The loansharks, in their ruthless pursuit, did not stop at targeting Chong and her immediate family. They also harassed her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, utilizing various phone numbers.
Seeking Help and Legal Recourse
Desperation led Chong to seek assistance from Datuk Seri Michael Chong, the head of the MCA Public Services and Complaints bureau at Wisma MCA. “We are living in terror, and I dare not send my children to school for fear of their safety after the loansharks said they will take away my children,” she revealed.
Forced to Return
Kwan, who was working tirelessly in Singapore, was forced to quit his job and return to Malaysia to be with his family in this time of distress. The loansharks had not only disrupted their daily lives but also torn apart their sense of security and stability.